First Boat build

[kilted1]

Good Day Everyone

First off ....awesome and informative site!

I have been looking at building a boat for a bit now, I am looking at the Vagabond 20' or 23' as a trailer sailor, large enough for a weekend sail with the kids and small enough to haul.
Has anyone built this model?
If so what did you find challenging about the build or what improvements would you suggest?
Would you suggest another design/model?
I have attached the VG23 details page

Cheers

[Munter]

It might be a bit too sporty for your requirements but a current design for home building that is gaining momentum is the i550. Google it for more info. Building a current design with a growing fleet might be a cheaper option as the resale value will be better.

[JeroenW]

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/be...i550/index.htm

or for more links:
http://www.google.be/search?hl=nl&q=...e+zoeken&meta=

[kilted1]

Thanks Munter and JeroenW

Nice looking craft, I'll take it into consideration ,and review it today, I appreciate your replies, good budget to build as well I see.

Cheers

[JeroenW]

The i550 actually looks a lot like the SB18 from bateau:

http://bateau.com/proddetail.php?prod=SB18

You might want to take a look at the forums of bateau as well, very helpful people there, including the designers themselves...

http://forums.bateau2.com/

[kilted1]

Thanks again JeroenW

Bateau.com is where I found th VG plans, I like the design, and am consideringthe VG23 just for it's room , with the kids being 4,5 and 8 .

I wanted something we could all enjoy, my brother-in-law has a 27ft Hunter that we enjoy the space for 4 adults and the kids plus his dogs...

That said a 20-25 ft is a great size and trailerable, although I can set a mooring at his place and not have to worry about the trailering so much.


Cheers

[rasorinc]

Scroll down to see a very pretty sailboat called the Kingston Lobster Boat. you can google to find more pics. I'm not a sailor man but I enjoy beauty.
http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1100 I believe plans can be purchased. Just an idea for you.
Best, Stan

[kilted1]

Originally Posted by rasorinc

Scroll down to see a very pretty sailboat called the Kingston Lobster Boat. you can google to find more pics. I'm not a sailor man but I enjoy beauty.
http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1100 I believe plans can be purchased. Just an idea for you.
Best, Stan

I agree rosorinc that is a beautiful boat, and thanks for the post, I have a issues of the woodenboat magazine and they have a nice weekender in the latest issue.

Cheers

[Manie B]

i regularly suggest

http://www.bateau.com/index.php

to guys that would like to start building

i am stuck here at the deepest darkest bottom end of africa
and have no affiliation with the guys at Bateau, but have absolutely grown fond of the work that they do, i have been looking at ALL the sites and the services that they offer over the past 6 years and Bateau has come out tops ALL the time

i have read numerous complaints of shitty plans - but never Bateau

so my 2 cents worth
buy a plan from Bateau
and get the support that you deserve

but do build
it is a wonderfully rewarding thing to do

[kilted1]

I really appreciate the input from everyone, it is reassuring that a boat build is in my future and to have the many folks here to pick their brains.

I have been reading some of the posts in regards to the supplier you mentioned, I have read all the posts on their forums in regards to missing info or whatever the issue was/is...I feel confident that this company will provide any required assistance or missing information.(if required) I have also been looking at some of the updates they have provided to those current plans.

I am relatively new to the entire nautical lifestyle, enjoyed a few boats in my youth, and enjoyed learning to sail and am so excited to get a build going!

Cheers
Rick from the mighty Saint John River Valley

[bistros]

Originally Posted by kilted1

Rick from the mighty Saint John River Valley

Hi Rick!

I'm related to just about every third house in English New Brunswick. My mom did her nursing training in St. John.

I hate to be the devil's advocate here, but building a boat is a big commitment in terms of time, money and effort. Before you build, you should determine what kind of sailing you like and where you intend to be sailing. The best way to start to find out these things is to get out and sail. Every club I've ever been at generally has a crew board where you can post your name as interested in being crew on Other People's Boats (hereafter called OPB). OPB are a great way to try new things without taking out a mortgage. Show up on time, listen more than you talk, do more than asked and stay until there is no work left. You'll be a popular crew quickly.

Time on the water quickly will let you know what is fun for you and what isn't. With this information in hand it is far easier to choose what kind of boat you want to build, and you'll have a far better chance of really enjoying it once it is done.

Ready, Aim, Fire instead of Ready, Fire, Aim.

--
Bill

[kilted1]

Good Advise Bill
We have been sailing as the crew on the Allyance,(brother-in-law's) a 27ft Hunter, for a few summers now, and both my wife and I love it. Our goal is to have everything complete(Pleasure Craft Operator cards, and Radio/Navigationetc...) this summer and start the build in the fall.

In regards to where we are sailing , mostly on the Saint John River..... We can venture all the way to Fredericton before we run into the 1st hydro dam...and head towards Saint John,... and maybe an odd trip to St. Andrews NB or Grand Manan, but for the most part as mentioned before mostly river sailing.

I have the full support of my wife on the build (as long as the other regular house maintenace doesn't go slack LOL).
Not much sense in considering a project unless all other projects are finished and you have full family support... the kid's have already picked the colour scheme. We're thinking it will be a fun project for all of us.
Budgetting is always a concern for any project, and we're good for the budget, and unexpected expenses... if it means another year as the Allyance crew then so be it, we will not jepredize our mortgage to build or buy parts, we ahve enough to get started on the project, I'm awaiting prices on the mast, rigging etc, so I can have a better estimate of possible total costs.

Cheers

[bistros]

Originally Posted by kilted1

Good Advise Bill
We have been sailing as the crew on the Allyance,(brother-in-law's) a 27ft Hunter, for a few summers now, and both my wife and I love it. Our goal is to have everything complete(Pleasure Craft Operator cards, and Radio/Navigationetc...) this summer and start the build in the fall.

In regards to where we are sailing , mostly on the Saint John River..... We can venture all the way to Fredericton before we run into the 1st hydro dam...and head towards Saint John,... and maybe an odd trip to St. Andrews NB or Grand Manan, but for the most part as mentioned before mostly river sailing.

I have the full support of my wife on the build (as long as the other regular house maintenace doesn't go slack LOL).
Not much sense in considering a project unless all other projects are finished and you have full family support... the kid's have already picked the colour scheme. We're thinking it will be a fun project for all of us.
Budgetting is always a concern for any project, and we're good for the budget, and unexpected expenses... if it means another year as the Allyance crew then so be it, we will not jepredize our mortgage to build or buy parts, we ahve enough to get started on the project, I'm awaiting prices on the mast, rigging etc, so I can have a better estimate of possible total costs.

Cheers

All great preparation. The reason for my post was that I'm saddened all the time by the boats that never make it off the cradles every year, and the half finished projects that get put up for sale.

I really liked a lot of the reasons behind the CLC Pocketship as detailed in the Woodenboat article and on the CLC website. A little too small for you I suspect, but I'd consider building one for my family of three on my Ottawa river sailing venue. Sometimes smaller and cheaper that get used a lot is better than bigger, more expensive and too much trouble to take out on a whim.

Cheers,

--
Bill

[kilted1]

Quote" Sometimes smaller and cheaper that get used a lot is better than bigger, more expensive and too much trouble to take out on a whim."End Quote

Pretty much sums up my reasoning..."I'd rather be sailing" is a great motto to go by.

I agree if you have it..use it... don't let it sit and rot away or get is such a state it becomes worthless.....I drive by at least 6 sailboats(all in the 25-30ft range) that have not seen water in at least 5 years!... and owners not willing to sell....such a shame to see them sit.
Cheers

[Manie B]

Kilted

my 2cents worth

You MUST build a small dinghy first

When you start off small you learn a LOT
You get your tools sorted out and you get the workspace sorted the way it suits you

AND you get familiar with the materials and epoxy?

I am now on my THIRD build and i know it sounds absolutely CRAZY that i started another small build in the middle of my big build, but what i learned this time around will save me MANY hours of time further down the line.

The learning curve is endless and i can now absolutely prove it - that by building a small dinghy first, you do save time and money. To merely "practice" on a flat piece of wood is a waste of time - a boat has got unique shapes and angles that you can only get on a boat and by doing it small first you get into the "swing" of things

I built the "chigger" last year and started my "jarcat" Oct 08 the "dory" was a recent "bright" idea because i had issues with my epoxy abilities. I can assure you that i got the epoxy procedures "perfect" now - anywhere - anytime

learn a lesson from an "old fart" that has got the bumps and bruises to prove it

and once again go Bateau